Anyone Know What the WPI are Doing About the Recently-Found MLV-Related Viruses?

Senior Member

Does anyone know what the Whittemore-Peterson Institute think about the MLV-related viruses found by LO et al.

I wonder when a more combined test for XMRVplus the MLV-related viruses might become available.

Perhaps people with CFS that were negative for XMRV, may turn out to have MLV-related viruses in their body. Presumably the XMRV tests are specific for XMRV, and will miss any MLV-related viruses that may be present.

Anyone have any thoughts or know more details about such a combined XMRV plus MLV-related virus test, and whether the WPI or anyone else is moving are that direction?

When Dr Mikovits spoke about testing the UK contingent for their split study she spoke about XMRV and the MLV's - after the Lo paper was released. She uses the term HMRV now in her talks at conferences.

Senior Member

most doctors i have spoken to think that the same drugs will likely work on both variants. i think they are still sequencing the P-variants found by Lo/Alter. They think most people will be infected with both.

When Dr Mikovits spoke about testing the UK contingent for their split study she spoke about XMRV and the MLV's - after the Lo paper was released. She uses the term HMRV now in her talks at conferences.

Senior Member

most doctors i have spoken to think that the same drugs will likely work on both variants. i think they are still sequencing the P-variants found by Lo/Alter. They think most people will be infected with both.

Do you know if this is because an individual acquires both viruses separately, or because these MLV-related viruses will mutate/evolve into new viral variants quite quickly once they have infected a host?

Senior Member

mind you, there are some researchers who think that the P variants are contaminants and XMRV is still the cause. but these seem to be in the minority. even the WPI seems to be embracing the P variants.